What Can I do If I Have Arthritis?

Early diagnosis and appropriate management of arthritis can help people with arthritis decrease pain, improve
function and stay productive.

Learn Arthritis Management Strategies
Learning techniques to reduce pain and limitations can be beneficial to people with arthritis. The
Self-management education program, Better Choices, Better
Health and
Tomando Control de su Salud (culturally appropriate Spanish version) can help you develop the
skills and confidence you need to manage your arthritis on a day to day basis. These programs are designed to
help you gain self-confidence in your ability to control your condition. The workshops focus on issues common to
individuals dealing with chronic conditions such as pain management, emotions, nutrition, exercise, medication
use, and communicating with doctors. These interactive workshops meet 2 ½ hours a week for six weeks and are
facilitated by a pair of leaders one or both of whom are non-health professionals with a chronic disease
themselves.

Be Active
Research has shown that physical activity decreases pain, improves function, and delays disability. Make sure
you get at least 30 minutes (can be broken into 10 minute sessions throughout the day) of moderate physical
activity at least 5 days a week. You can do physical activity on your own, such as walking, biking or swimming
or you can participate in a program where the instructors are trained and the exercises are known to be safe for
people with arthritis. Programs such as Walk With Ease
(WWE) which is a
walking program that can be done in a group or alone, and group exercise classes such as Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) and Enhance Fitness are all excellent choices.

Watch
Your Weight
The prevalence of arthritis increases with increasing weight. Research suggests that maintaining a healthy
weight reduces the risk of developing arthritis and may decrease disease progression. A loss of just 11 pounds
can decrease your risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, and a modest weight loss (5%) can help reduce pain and
disability. Download more information on weight
management.

See Your Doctor
Although there is no cure for most types of arthritis, early diagnosis and appropriate management is important,
especially for inflammatory types of arthritis. For example, early use of disease-modifying drugs can change the
course of rheumatoid arthritis. If you have symptoms of arthritis, see your doctor and begin appropriate
management of your condition.

Protect Your Joints
Joint injury can lead to osteoarthritis. People who experience sports or occupational injuries or have jobs with
repetitive motions like repeated knee bending have more osteoarthritis. Avoid joint injury to reduce your risk
of developing osteoarthritis. Dowload more information on protecting
your joints.